Richard Rosson

Richard Rosson (April 4, 1893 – May 31, 1953) was an American film director and actor. As an actor, he was known for the nearly 100 films he was in during the silent era. As a director, he was a co-director of the 1932 film Scarface.

Richard Rosson
Rosson, 1916
Born(1893-04-04)April 4, 1893
New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedMay 31, 1953(1953-05-31) (aged 60)
Pacific Palisades, California, U.S.
OccupationFilm director, actor
Years active1911–1943
Spouse(s)Vera Sisson (m.1916)
RelativesArthur Rosson (brother)
Harold Rosson (brother)
Helene Rosson (sister)

Career

Rosson's first directorial effort was the 1926 American black and white silent comedy film Fine Manners, initially directed by Lewis Milestone[1] for Famous Players-Lasky/Paramount Pictures. After an argument with actress Gloria Swanson, Milestone walked off the set, leaving the film to be completed by Rosson,[2] who had picked up directorial tricks while working as an assistant director to Allan Dwan.[3] The success of the film, being Rosson's first directorial effort since he co-directed Her Father's Keeper in 1917 with his brother Arthur Rosson,[4] won him a long-term contract with Famous Players-Lasky.[4]

Personal life

Rosson was the younger brother of director Arthur Rosson, his younger sister Helene became a movie actress, and his younger brother Harold became a well known director of photography who won the first Academy Award for color cinematography. Richard Rosson died from suicide from carbon monoxide poisoning at his home in Pacific Palisades, California at the age of 60. A year later, Rosson's wife, Vera Sisson, committed suicide by barbiturate overdose.[5]

On May 1, 1939, Rosson was arrested on a charge of espionage in Vienna, Austria, with his wife and two other British nationals, by the Gestapo, allegedly for filming military hardware. They were held in solitary confinement for 34 days and released.[6]

Selected director filmography

Selected actor filmography

References
  1. "Fine Manners (1926)". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
  2. Joseph R. Millichap (1981). Lewis Milestone. Twayne's filmmakers series. Twayne Publishers. pp. 15, 31. ISBN 0-8057-9281-3.
  3. Lawrence J. Quirk (1984). The films of Gloria Swanson. Citadel Press. p. 202. ISBN 0-8065-0874-4.
  4. Grace Kingsley (September 28, 1926). "Tony will be in it". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
  5. Ellenberger, Allen R. (May 1, 2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland. p. 150. ISBN 978-0786450190.
  6. Erickson, Hal (1953-05-31). "Richard Rosson > Overview". AllMovie. Retrieved 2011-04-26.
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